Bold Westchester Knicks Predictions For 2018-19 Season

The Westchester Knicks have only played five games this season and have experienced many positive moments. From record performances to building a solid defense, the Knicks have started the season on a good note. While a lot can happen between now and March, here are three bold predictions that could happen during the 2018-19 season.

John Jenkins will get a second chance in the NBA.

In the previous seasons, the Westchester Knicks have shown to give veteran players a second opportunity to the NBA. By playing in the G-League, it has given the players a platform to showcase their talents to earn a call-up or even join the New York Knicks.

John Jenkins has been on a tear early on in the season. He is averaging 32.2 points per game and has shown to be really efficient with his shot. Given it’s early in the season, Jenkins is connecting on 54.8 percent from his perimeter shots and making 4.2 triples per game.

The New York Knicks have an offensive void with Kristaps Porzingis out, as he recovers from his ACL injury. The Knicks are No. 27 in field goal percentage and No. 28 in three-point percentage. If the Knicks, or any team, are looking for a scorer off the bench, teams can look at Jenkins to provide a scoring presence.

The Westchester Knicks will be a defensive oriented squad and top five defensive team.

The Westchester Knicks under Mike Miller have been known to be defensive oriented teams. Through five games, the Knicks are second in opponent field goal percentage (41.2), fourth in opponent points per game (103.2), seventh in opponent three-point percentage (29.3), and seventh in defensive rating (101.6).

The sample size is small, but the Knicks are coming off their best defensive game against the Delaware Blue Coats. Westchester has many talented defenders on the team such as Isaiah Hicks, Kadeem Allen, Paul Watson, and Devon Baulkman. Sekou Wiggs and Billy Garrett have shown to be aggressive on that end in games this season. Luke Kornet, when he is on assignment from New York, has shown to be a presence in the paint and is coming off a career-best seven blocks against the Raptors 905. Westchester has a chance to replicate their strong defense from last season.

When the Knicks lost one of their top scorers in Trey Burke to a call-up last season, the team set a goal in being one of the top defensive teams in the league. If Jenkins earns a call-up, which is likely to happen if his strong play continues, the Knicks would likely have to follow their plan from last season.

The Westchester Knicks will make their third postseason appearance and get a playoff victory.

There have been many talented teams in the past four seasons and two have made postseason appearances. This squad is similar to the previous teams in terms of having a reliable and efficient scorer and solid team defenders. The Knicks have a productive defense team and many players who are capable of scoring. When all things are clicking for Westchester, the Knicks are a tough team to face.

The roster is likely to see changes as the season progresses. Jenkins could earn a call-up and two-way player Hicks will likely see time with the New York Knicks. If Allonzo Trier gets converted to a standard contract, there will be a new two-way player in town.

Even through the potential roster changes, players will step up and embrace new roles. That’s what Watson and Garrett accomplished last season, along with Wiggs who joined the team late last season. The Knicks have shown to prepare players for increased roles, along with maintaining a winning culture.